A Jew By Choice
Beyond being born to a
Jewish mother, there is another way to be Jewish. When a non-Jew
accepts upon himself all the requirements of the law that are on the
Jewish people, he can become a Jew. Today we call this process
"conversion", yet it is much more than merely accepting certain beliefs.
This process has
existed from the beginning of the Jewish people, when they left Egypt. Those
who wanted to follow God were welcomed to do so. They were considered to
be a part of Israel because of the belief system that they adopted, even
though they were not originally part of the “family” of Israel.
Exodus 12:48
48
"An alien living among you who wants to
celebrate the Lord's Passover must have all the males in his household
circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No
uncircumcised male may eat of it.
49 The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among
you."
The
"alien" who wants to become a part of the Jewish people may do so, and
be "like one born in the land". This means much more than changing
your beliefs. It is as if you were actually "born again" as a Jew,
with a Jewish history and ancestery.
Once a non-Jew
decides to become part of the Jewish people and goes through the process to do
so, he can never go back to being a non-Jew. So, by design, the
"conversion" process is not a quick and easy one. There must be certainty
of the individuals commitment.